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DS, Y5, very average reader- recommend me 2 books, same author, to read for homework!

32 replies

erebus · 21/01/2011 16:12

DS2's homework is to read two books by the same author, then on Mon 7th Feb, he has to have 'researched the chosen author, thinking creatively about how to present your findings to the class in an interesting way'...

They give a list of about 80 books, but, in typical 'not brilliantly thought through' style, after the fiction list, many of the suggestions are along the lines of 'any craft activity/experiments/practical books using electricity and forces'- well, they're hardly all going to be written by the same author, are they? BUT I digress!

Can someone come up with a couple of probably fiction books that would appeal to a reluctant reader, aged 9 1/2, who is currently reading at ORT level 15/Treetops (described on the back as 'KS2 Book Band Y6 red). He prefers non-fiction, tbh ('Horrible Histories' is there as an option but a) they're not written by one author and b) they're a bit 'bitty', dip in and out-able but hardly encourage absorbtion and in-depth reading, do they?) but he doesn't really like fluffy animal stories. I think he'd like Anthony Horowitz but isn't able to read at that level yet. Horrid Henry would be too young for Y5, also.

He has tried Beast Quest (yawn!) but again struggles and hasn't got the concentration needed to follow the story with all the made up names.

Help!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
erebus · 21/01/2011 16:13

PS He's currently absorbed in an old 'Beano' comic... He 'reads' a lot of Beano but thing is, you can make sense of it whilst skimming over the longer words!

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 21/01/2011 16:16

Any of the Roald Dahls maybe - they vary in length and difficulty so maybe you could find a couple to suit?

theITgirl · 21/01/2011 16:16

Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
My DS is very similar (but improving rapidly - gone from nothing to reading for pleasure. So there is still hope)
I believe there are more books in the series.

Carrotsandcelery · 21/01/2011 16:18

Diary of a Wimpy Kid? There are severl books in the series, they are not babyish and you can bribe him with watching the dvd if he reads the books.
My dd (9) loves them.

Carrotsandcelery · 21/01/2011 16:18

Several, that is! Blush

ByTheSea · 21/01/2011 16:18

He might like Jack Stalwart. He is a boy secret agent who goes places like Australia and Africa solving crimes.

Carrotsandcelery · 21/01/2011 16:18

Ha ha - x posts IT

Carrotsandcelery · 21/01/2011 16:20

The Mr Gum books also caught my dd's attention. I hate them myself but she loves them. Again there are loads in the series.

DreamingofFour · 21/01/2011 16:20

Agree with Diary of Wimpy Kid, there are four of them

erebus · 21/01/2011 16:21

Ah ha! DS1 (11) has a couple of 'Wimpy Kid' s. I will look at them now.

Any other suggestions also gratefully received, and thanks.

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Carrotsandcelery · 21/01/2011 16:22

My dd also loves Michael Morpurgo books but they are a bit heavier going.

SleepingLion · 21/01/2011 16:22

I would second Jack Stalwart. They seem to be good reads - DS (7) raced through them - and they are not too long!

Link here

erebus · 21/01/2011 16:23

Would Zac Power be too young for him do you think?

The Amazon reviews say 'My 7 year old' and '8 year old'..loved these.

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erebus · 21/01/2011 16:24

Yes, I think Murpurgo would be too difficult and 'conceptual' for DS2.

Thanks for Jack Stalwart link.

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SleepingLion · 21/01/2011 16:26

On here you can read the first chapter of the Jack Stalwart books - might help your DS decide if he likes them.

BadBagel · 21/01/2011 16:32

Jeremy Strong books, they are really funny and not too long.

IndigoBell · 21/01/2011 16:35

Roman Mysteries?
Captain Underpants?
Harry Potter?
How to train your dragon?

samels001 · 21/01/2011 16:35

Hi, you said he prefers non-fiction - perhaps try 2 books from the Usborne True Stories series - a couple of different authors and covers WW1, WW 2, Spies, Polar Adventurers, Pirates etc. They are aimed at children age 8+, but you mentioned he was a reluctant reader so the subject matter might appeal.

nickelbabysnatcher · 21/01/2011 16:39

What about Valerie Wilding's Toby Tucker series?

they're Faction (fiction based on fact) adn the boy gets transported through time to be one of his ancestors.
very clever and gross.

she also did a couple of the My Story books, so that's a different type of story by her.

ByTheSea · 21/01/2011 16:52

Will Solvit books are also in a similar vein to Jack Stalwart. Page-turners, according to my DD (who cannot stand girly books).

DilysPrice · 21/01/2011 16:54

Horrible Histories are all by the same bloke actually - Terry Deary (though I assume he has help).
Dick King Smith perhaps could be the right length for him to read two in the time available. Or Asterix if he's really struggling with long text.

You could compare Captain Underpants with Ricky Rocket and Kung Fu Cavemen / Super Diaper Baby, all by Dav Pilkey but subtly different formats, so gives him lots of material for his project.

DilysPrice · 21/01/2011 16:56

(oops, sorry I said Ricky Rocket, when I meant Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot)

pointydug · 21/01/2011 17:11

Groosham Grange and Return to Groosham Grange.

Or Groosham Grange and Granny.

Both by Anthony Horowitz. V topical just now as well. Although I've just forgotten why! Is it a sherlock holmes he has been asked to write? Will check.

Darkly humorous, pacy, easy to read style.

pointydug · 21/01/2011 17:12

Oh, I see you mention Horowitz.

Horowitz has wriiten a lot of books that are a much easier style than alex ryser etc. The ones I have mentioned are easier. Plus SHort stories. The Blurred Man. V short.

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